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Why Traveling to Cuba is Much Cheaper Than You Think

ViaHero · October 9, 2018

How much money do you really need to travel to Cuba? While it depends on what you like to do and what type of lodging you prefer, it's actually really affordable. Like, really affordable. Here's a breakdown of the typical costs—once you've given it a read, feel free to message us any questions you still have!

Want to make the most out of your trip? Tap into our network of local travel planners—Heroes—who build unique, locally-curated trip plans, designed just for you. Get started.

Note: some items below are listed in USD while others are listed in CUC (Cuban Convertible Pesos). The value of CUC is always the same as the value of the US Dollar, but when you exchange money you'll be charged a fee so expect you'll get back .87 cents USD for every 1CUC. We know that's confusing, so read our guide on Cuban currency.

Lodging

Lodging is a major expense when you travel, so you need to factor it into your budget early. In Cuba, you can find a bed for as little as 6CUC per night or spend well over 500CUC per night. It all depends on your budget and the type of accommodations you prefer. Local experts recommend casas particulares, which are rooms in private homes (these days, they're all rented out via Airbnb). They’re inexpensive and offer the opportunity to connect with Cuban locals.

Transportation

Getting from place to place is another big cost of travel. Plan your routes in advance so you can figure out the cheapest ways to get around while also managing your time wisely. These are average costs of the most common transportation methods in Cuba.

Flight to Cuba: $200-$500 roundtrip from most parts of the United States

Taxi from the airport to your lodging: 25CUC

Private taxi: Some of these taxis use a meter and some do not. Negotiate the price before getting in. Metered pricing should be 1CUC when you get in plus 1CUC per kilometer. Prices should be similar without a meter. Expect to spend between 3-12CUC within a city, depending on how far you’re going.

Private taxi between cities: Prices vary greatly by distance. Havana to Viñales is approximately 70CUC.

Shared taxi (almendrons) in cities: 0.50CUC for most rides along the specified route of any shared taxi.

Shared taxi between cities: Prices vary depending on distance. Havana to Viñales should be around 15CUC per person.

Viazul bus between cities: Plan on around 4CUC per hour of your journey. Havana to Viñales is 12CUC and takes about three and a half hours.

Car rental: Roughly 85CUC per day for a car with an automatic transmission plus car insurance.

Food and Drinks

Travelers with a bare-bones budget can get by on just five dollars per day for food, but it’s fun to spend a little more. If you can swing 15-40CUC per person per day, you’ll be feeling great. More than that and you’ll be able to enjoy some luxurious dinners and a few more drinks. That breaks down to:

Entertainment

Depending on what you like to do, you could get by on the cheap in this category or splash out on luxuries and adventure activities. Here are a few sample activities to help you get an idea of what you might spend.

Our Heroes can give you even more ideas for activities along with their costs. Learn more about them on our travel planners' page.

Internet

It’s not easy to get online in Cuba, but if you really need to use the internet, it is possible. To get online on your own device you need a card from ETECSA. It will cost you 2-6CUC per hour. Then you can connect at any open wifi hotspot (usually in a park). The easiest way to find an ETECSA card? From someone selling it in the park.

You can also get online using desktop computers in hotels or at internet cafes. Rates are 5-10CUC per hour. You’ll likely have to wait in a long line and the internet will be very slow.

Insurance

Americans are required to have health insurance that’s valid in Cuba. It’s easy to get, just another cost to remember. Some airlines take care of it and include it in the cost of your plane ticket. If your airline doesn’t, then you’ll need to purchase health insurance in Cuba before you clear customs. There’s a booth in the airport where you can purchase insurance for about $4 per day.

The other thing you must have is a Cuban visa/tourist card. Most airlines will sell you this as well. Expect to spend $50-85 on your tourist card. It’s valid for thirty days of travel in Cuba.

Currency Exchange

When you exchange American dollars into one of Cuba’s two currencies (CUC and CUP), you’ll be subject to a 10% tax from the Cuban government. Plus, most exchange places add on a 3% service fee. Plan on getting 87CUC for every $100 American dollars that you bring. After that, it’s easy to keep track of how much you’re spending because you’ll mostly deal in CUC (the tourist currency) and its value is pinned to the American dollar at a 1-to-1 rate.

Whenever you pay for anything, double check the change that you get back. Make sure that if you pay in CUC, you get change in CUC or the right amount of CUP.

Tipping

Don't forget to factor tips into the cost of planning a trip to Cuba. Locals really appreciate (and sometimes rely on) tips from travelers. Here are a few situations where it’s good to tip and how much:

Bathroom attendants: 25-50 cents CUCTour guides: 2CUCRestaurants: Service fee is often included, but if it isn’t then 5-10% is appropriateMusicians in restaurants and on the street: 1CUC

Planning Your Trip

You can find yourself jumping through one hoop after another when planning a trip to Cuba, so finding a bit of help is a great idea. For a few extra dollars per day, you can get help planning a legal Support for the Cuban People itinerary and greatly increase the ease of travel and enjoyment of your experience. Our travel planners can put your entire itinerary together for just $25 per day. They’ll cater to your personal preferences and needs as a traveler. Expect to get recommendations for places the locals like to go, which major sights you can’t miss, where to stay, what and where to eat, and more.

Still have questions about the cost of planning a trip to Cuba? Cuban Heroes are here to help. Message us to get started. And before your trip, make sure to check out: